IT WAS Cash Back with a difference with the eminently-sociable members and friends of Peterhead Football Club at the weekend. No, it wasn’t a convention of broken-down bankers, but a tribute evening to the American country and western legend Johnny Cash which attracted your Diarist.
Playing the part of Mr C was a gum-chewing lookalike from Ohio who declined to give his name.
Brave man, he did three spots and was therefore forced to sing songs by friends of Mr Cash, including Elvis Presley and Neil Diamond.
The fun did not end there. Next stop was the 65-bedroom Palace Hotel in Queen Street, where a live band completed a musical night out in the Blue Toon. Oh, and somewhere along the way, there was time for a sublime jumbo haddock supper from Zanre’s, consumed near the town’s sheriff court.
Yummy smoked haddock with poached eggs was on the breakfast menu next morning to continue the fishy theme.
This was followed by a visit to the harbour to see catches from the Lunar stable of boats, including Ocean Venture, being put on Lunar lorries. Somehow, after the Trawlers series on TV, you expected to see a camera, but none was in view. There’s obviously no drama on dry land.
Take a bow, Peterhead folk, you are a friendly lot – and thanks to one cheery soul at the harbour for the wee poke of haddock.
Hopefully, they weren’t missed.
ANGUS man Charlie Murray has been a devotee of the sport of tug o war for more than 30 years. Indeed, the former Forfar team member is still taking part at the age of 50 with the Elgin strongmen, last year’s Grampian games circuit champions. However, Forfar-based Charlie is also keen to produce a history of his sport and wants to gauge interest from potential contributors. “There are plenty of publications covering our Highland games, but tug o war is the missing link,” he said. “Teams and games come and go and I would love to hear from people with memories of these.”
Charlie, who is in the paving business, can be contacted at 01307 468610 or e-mail elmrry1@aol.com. Yes, the e-mail address is correct.
ABERDEEN businessman Mike Brown has added to his laurels, this time in the sporting arena. Last September, he was named dealmaker of the year at the 11th annual Scottish Business Insider deals and dealmakers awards night. However, last weekend, the managing partner and head of corporate finance at accountancy firm Anderson Anderson and Brown, proved he was good at figures on the golf course as well. He was in the foursome which won the Press and Journal/Munro’s Travel Group golf day in Houston on the eve of the OTC oil show from a field of more than 130.
Mike’s teammates were Rob Cole, of Corrocoat, Steve Mitchell, of Acumen, and Ian Massie, of Munro’s.
This year’s annual trip to OTC, organised by Munro’s and the P&J, attracted 350 delegates.
STILL with Houston, it’s 30 years ago this month since Grampian Region was twinned officially with the Texas city and the milestone will be marked on Monday with a video conference. Margaret Hadley, who chairs the Grampian-Houston Association, will exchange greetings with Aurise Bain, president of the Houston-Grampian Association. Back in 1979, when North Sea oil was in its infancy, Grampian Regional Council’s first convener, Sandy Mutch, signed the twinning charter in Aberdeen with Houston’s deputy mayor, Jim Westmorland.